Sympistis bes Troubridge, 2008

Troubridge, J. T., 2008, A generic realignment of the Oncocnemidini sensu Hodges (1983) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae), with description of a new genus and 50 new species, Zootaxa 1903 (1), pp. 1-95 : 43

Sympistis bes Troubridge sp. n.

(Figs. H-12, N-6, T-3)

Diagnosis. Sympistis bes is about the same size as Sympistis sectilis (Smith) comb. n.. Both species have a pure white hindwing and gray forewing and occur in Texas. They are easily separated by antemedial and postmedial lines, which are thin and black in S. sectilis , pale gray in S. be s.

Description. Antennae filiform, head, prothoracic collar, thorax and tegulae gray –all scales gray with thin white line at apex; abdomen light silvery gray. Coremata with brushes, levers, and pockets absent from base of male abdomen. Forewing length 15-19 mm. Dorsal forewing ground color gray; postmedial and antemedial lines slightly lighter gray than ground color of wing; postmedial line edged distally by lighter gray scales than ground color of wing; subterminal line if present, only slightly lighter than ground color of wing; orbicular spot gray, encircled by single row of dark gray scales; reniform spot charcoal gray encircled by white inner and black outer rows of scales; terminal line black; fringe concolorous with forewing ground color. Dorsal hindwing brilliant white with a few gray scales near margin; terminal line black; fringe white. Male genitalia. (Fig. N-6) Tip of valve with apical and ventral spines and no distinct corona; sacculus elevated basal to ampulla of clasper; ampulla of clasper swollen basally at apex; terminal spine arcing from posterior margin. Vesica with small subbasal diverticulum on left, bends abruptly downward and then to the right; a small patch of long, sparse cornuti occurs dorsally at base; as vesica bends to right, ribbons of long, dense cornuti on the left and right through the bend –a ventral, subapical patch of long cornuti joins these two ribbons; a long, stout spine-like cornutus occurs ventrally at apex. Female genitalia. (Fig. T-3) Ovipositor lobes rounded, short, subapical, spine-like setae occur randomly in patches rather than in a straight line; ductus bursae heavily sclerotized on ventral surface narrows abruptly at appendix bursae; elongate appendix bursae gradually narrows as it bends around 170° to ductus seminalis; ductus seminalis with balloon-like swelling at junction of appendix bursae, its volume approaching that of appendix bursae; corpus bursae ellipsoidal with elongate dorsal and ventral signa, adjoins appendix bursae via narrow constriction near ductus bursae.

Type material. Holotype male: USA, Texas, Culberson Co., 10 mi. N. of Van Horn, 2 ix 1979, in the CNC . Paratypes: 4♂ 3♀: Texas: Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park , 19 iv 1959, M. R. MacKay , 1♂ 1♀; Paint Gap Hills, Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , 4 iv 1984, E. Knudson , 1♂; Paint Gap Hills, Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , 2 iv 1984, E. Knudson , 1♂; Saucedo, Presisio Co., Big Bend Ranch SNA, 22-23 iii 1993, E. Knudson , 1♀; Government Spring, Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park , 12 ix 1982, E. Knudson , 1♀; Cuevas Amarillas, Presisio Co., Big Bend Ranch SNA, 23 iii 1993, E. Knudson , 1♂.

Etymology. From Egyptian mythology, Bes is dwarf god who guards against evil spirits, snakes, and misfortune. It is a noun in apposition.

Distribution. Southern Texas.